Rugby World Cup 2027 guide
Rugby World Cup 2027: Planning a School or Club Rugby Tour to Australia
Rugby World Cup 2027 runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027 across seven Australian host cities, with 24 teams and 52 matches. It's the perfect time for overseas school and club teams to tour Australia, combining their own fixtures with the tournament atmosphere.
For a touring squad, the World Cup changes the whole feel of a trip. Host cities fill with supporters from around the world, rugby is on every screen and in every conversation, and your players compete on Australian pitches while the biggest event in their sport happens around them.
This guide explains what a rugby tour to Australia during the tournament can look like, how match tickets work, when to start planning, and how schools with netball programmes can make the most of 2027. It is written for teachers, coaches, team managers and club committees.
The tournament
Rugby World Cup 2027 at a glance
| Fact | Rugby World Cup 2027 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1 October – 13 November 2027 |
| Host | Australia |
| Teams | 24 |
| Matches | 52 |
| Duration | About 6 weeks |
| Host cities | Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville |
Source: world.rugby
The 2027 tournament is the first Rugby World Cup with 24 teams. They play in six pools of four, followed by a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final in Sydney on 13 November.
For touring teams, that means around six weeks of match days spread across the country, so there is room to build an itinerary around the cities and dates that suit your squad.
Why 2027
Why tour Australia during the World Cup
Australia is a rugby country at any time of year, but October 2027 offers a combination that is hard to repeat.
Fixtures against Australian schools and clubs
We arrange matches against Australian school and club teams matched to your age group and level. Playing local sides in the same weeks as the World Cup gives players a story they will tell for years.
Host-city atmosphere
Host cities will be full of supporters from around the world, and the tournament will be the talk of every café, train and beach. Even on days without a match, your squad feels part of it.
Spring weather in October
October is spring in Australia. Days are getting longer and are generally mild, which suits training, matches and time outdoors between fixtures.
Seven host cities also means choice. Sydney and Melbourne offer big-city energy, Brisbane and Townsville have a more relaxed Queensland feel, and Perth, Adelaide and Newcastle give you a different side of Australia. Your tour can stay in one region or move between two.
The timing also works for many schools in the UK and Europe, where the October half-term break falls during the tournament. That can mean less time out of class for players and staff.
Your tour
What a rugby tour to Australia can include
Fixtures
Matches against Australian school or club teams, planned around the length of your tour and your squad's level.
Coaching
Training sessions with local coaches, built around your fixtures and your players' needs.
Accommodation
Hotels or group accommodation in or near the host cities, with rooming and meals organised for you.
Travel between cities
Domestic flights, coaches and transfers, so you can play in one city and move on to the next.
Cultural experiences
Beaches, harbour walks, wildlife parks and city tours. Time off the pitch is part of the experience.
Every tour is built for your group. Many teams choose 10 to 14 days and two cities, for example Sydney and Brisbane, or Melbourne and Adelaide, so players get variety without spending the whole trip in transit.
We look after the planning and logistics, from the first draft itinerary to the last transfer, so teachers and coaches can focus on their players. Fixtures are matched to your age group and level, and rest days are built in between matches.
See how we plan school sports tours and club sports tours.
Watching matches: how tickets work
Rugby World Cup tickets are sold to fans through official Rugby World Cup ticketing. Olimpia Tour does not sell or supply match tickets, but we make it easy to plan around the matches your group wants to see.
- 1
Check the schedule. The match schedule and ticket sales information are published on the official Rugby World Cup website.
- 2
Tell us your match days. Let us know which matches your group is interested in. We plan your itinerary around those dates and cities.
- 3
Buy tickets separately. Tickets are bought through official channels and are subject to availability.
On a match day, we keep your schedule realistic. Training and fixtures are planned away from match times, transport allows for busy roads and crowded trains, and the group has time to eat and rest before heading to the stadium.
Every itinerary works with or without tickets. If your group doesn't get seats, there is still plenty of tournament atmosphere in the host cities, and your own fixtures stay the focus of the tour.
Timing
When to start planning
Start 12 to 18 months ahead. Accommodation demand in the host cities will be high during the tournament, especially around big match days, and a touring squad needs plenty of rooms in the same place.
12–18 months before
Agree dates, cities and group size with your school or club, and ask us for a quote.
9–12 months before
Confirm the tour, lock in flights and accommodation, and start communicating with players and parents.
6–9 months before
Confirm fixtures and coaching sessions, check visa requirements, and follow official ticket sales if you plan to watch a match.
Final 3 months
Finalise rooming lists, kit, travel documents and the day-by-day itinerary.
Schools often need approval from the principal and school council before they can commit, and clubs need time to confirm players and raise funds. Starting early gives you room for both, and makes it easier to secure the cities and dates you want.
Two sports, one year
Combining rugby with netball
2027 is also a big year for netball in Australia. The Netball World Cup 2027 is in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September 2027.
Schools with strong rugby and netball programmes can plan around both events: a netball tour in late August or early September, and a rugby tour in October. Running both tours with the same planning team keeps communication with parents simple and lets you share what works.
Netball tours follow the same approach as rugby tours: fixtures against local teams at your level, coaching sessions, accommodation and travel, with time to enjoy Sydney while the tournament is on.
Explore our netball tours, or read our guide to every 2027 world cup and how to plan a team tour around it.
Quick answers
FAQ
When is Rugby World Cup 2027?
Rugby World Cup 2027 runs from 1 October to 13 November 2027 in Australia. The final is in Sydney on 13 November.
Which cities host Rugby World Cup 2027?
Seven cities host matches: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth, Sydney and Townsville.
Can a school team tour Australia during the tournament?
Yes. School and club teams can tour Australia during the tournament and play their own fixtures against Australian teams. We plan the itinerary around your dates, cities and level.
Do you supply match tickets?
No. Match tickets are sold through official Rugby World Cup ticketing. We plan your itinerary around the match days you're interested in, and tickets are bought separately, subject to availability.
How far ahead should we book?
We recommend starting 12 to 18 months ahead. Accommodation demand in the host cities will be high during the tournament, so booking early gives you more choice.
Olimpia Tour is an independent sports tour company and is not affiliated with World Rugby or Rugby World Cup 2027.
Bringing your team to Australia in 2027?
Photos: Olga Guryanova, Stephen Sandford and Tlou Manamela / Unsplash; Simon_sees / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).